1003-D - Fully Automated Covaris Workflow

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

The LE220R-plus is an advanced focused ultrasonicator with enhanced integration capabilities in genomic and proteomic workflows. The Adaptive Focused Acoustics™ (AFA) technology delivers high intensity focused ultrasonic energy to hydrodynamically shear nucleic acids and aids in extraction of other biological sample types. AFA technology can be applied in other parts of NGS library preparation such as SPRI cleanups, end repair and adapter ligation which can enhance these process steps in a fully automatable workflow. The integration of AFA into an entire workflow such as NGS library prep or FFPE extraction enables reduced turnaround times with more efficient mixing and binding steps as well as the reduction of sample loss via non-contact sample processing.
This advanced high-throughput platform can be used in modular component integrated systems. The new design of the LE220R-plus, along with additional safety features, allows for the system to support high-throughput liquid handling systems providing a complete walkaway solution. In addition to liquid handling integration, this new platform has the capabilities of automated water management, an integrated water conditioning system and barcode scanning for plate/sample tracking. The user-friendly Sonolab8 software provides remote setup and scheduling for automated degas and chiller startup allowing for a more efficient and robust workflow reducing setup time by at least 2 hours.
The LE220R-plus is an automation compatible ultrasonicator which employs a standard microplate consumable for sample preparation. The 96 oneTUBE-10 AFA plate, designed for high-throughput processing, improves turnaround time by reducing transfer steps necessary for NGS library preparation. It is an engineered polymer vessel compatible with heating blocks and magnetic stands to support NGS workflows; thus decreasing the overall cost of consumables. While the cost of sequencing has decreased dramatically, the cost of sample prep for NGS libraries has reduced, but not at nearly the same rate.
By adding AFA to multiple steps within the NGS pipeline, we are able to demonstrate how an AFA based library prep can cut the cost of sequencing as well as improve turnaround times and provide a robust platform able to be run by every technician with minimal training. Reduced transfer steps in library preparation preserve sample complexity for comprehensive genome coverage improving reproducibility compared to manual processing. The combination of the LE220R-plus along with the 96 oneTUBE-10 AFA demonstrates how AFA can be utilized to provide a high-throughput robust NGS sample prep methodology that in turn reduces turnaround time and saves on reagents and consumables.